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The story of the Tortoise and the Hare originated 2500 years ago but is even more relevant in today’s age of instant gratification than it was when first written. With Google, cell phones, movies, email and Twitter (to name just a few), we are surrounded by cultural forces that condition us to expect nearly instantaneously results.

Although we live in the world of the Hare, when it comes to developing good athletes, we need to start channeling the Tortoise.

http://splitsecondbasketball.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/maxresdefault.jpg10801477Split Second Basketballhttp://splitsecondbasketball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/SSB_Website_White_Logo-02.pngSplit Second Basketball2018-10-25 03:56:052018-10-27 13:04:36Tortoise and the Hare

10,000 hour rule

Becoming an elite player is about developing great habits, and then practice, practice, practicing (10,000 hours) until they become automatic.

The reason most young athletes don’t develop into great players isn’t lack of desire, or talent, or even willingness to put in the necessary practice time…it’s that the way we train players is totally backwards.

Think about it! Young players with little knowledge of the game start “practicing” their skills. In this crucial stage of development, when his initial basketball habits are formed, the player has virtually no idea what really makes the difference between success and failure. Read more

http://splitsecondbasketball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/DSC0504.jpg400600Split Second Basketballhttp://splitsecondbasketball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/SSB_Website_White_Logo-02.pngSplit Second Basketball2013-03-16 22:10:252018-09-20 14:26:59Why we fail to produce more truly skilled players.

Allows you to quickly change over to a left handed pass, dribble or shot without having to change your hand position…instead, simply rotate the ball and pull back to load the other wrist more.

Enables you to get the full flexion you need in your wrist to generate instant power. This is very, very important for Split Second Habits.

Is a perfect set up for your shot. As a right handed shooter, without any adjustments your left hand turns into your guide hand as you bring the ball to set position. Notice how your left hand is already perfectly aligned as a guide hand, at 90 degrees to the basket.

Kobe demonstrates how catching in this position leads to good shooting form

Kobe following through with perfect guide hand

Where do you use this?

This should be your default habit pretty much any time you are holding the ball on the court. This hand placement on the ball makes up an important part of the COBRA habit.

A HUGE part of your development as an ELITE player is learning to catch with this proper hand position in more challenging situations.

Start with a one foot pass off the wall to yourself. Easy to properly place your hands and immediately get your wrist cocked? Then move back a few feet.

An elite player can receive a cross court bullet pass, down low, off to his none-shooting side and still catch with the correct hand and wrist position…to allow him to immediately go into his shot without adjusting/moving his hands. This is where you need to get to.

If you’re running the fast break and someone fires you a pass, without thinking your hands should be in the correct position…and then almost SUCK the ball in to that sweet spot.

This is the definition of “SOFT” HANDS!

It’s also KEY to use this hand and wrist position whenever you pick the dribble up off the floor…especially if you are shooting off the dribble . This is more difficult when you are dribbling with your non-shooting hand.

For example, a right hand shooter dribbling with his left hand should have the habit of keeping his right hand close to the ball to protect it. This also allows him to be ready right away to pick up the ball with both hands.

This right handed shooter should meet the dribble low to the floor with both hands and immediately load his right wrist while putting his left hand in proper position and coming to set position.

Any exceptions? Long passes in the open court.

Nash dropping his thumbs- only use this unguarded in the open court

Do not make this your normal holding habit because it will make you slower, especially if you decide to shoot or dribble. However, if you are open and have lots of time, dropping your thumbs under the ball can help you make a long 2 handed chest pass.

*any left handers reading this article need to envision the mirror opposite for these examples.

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Eric Butlerhttp://splitsecondbasketball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/SSB_Website_White_Logo-02.pngEric Butler2012-12-09 06:51:232019-01-14 14:35:25The best way to hold a basketball...and develop great hands!